Author Topic: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations  (Read 2072 times)

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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« on: March 31, 2008, 09:26:50 PM »
I did a few searches, but didn't find much on the topic of intercom radios.  I'll be riding with a new rider this year and would like to keep in verbal as well as visual contact with them.

What do I need to know to pick out a reasonably priced bike-to-bike intercom?

What do you think of this set-up?

http://www.bikeintercom.com/products/motorcycle_headset_package_full_face.htm
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
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Offline techy5025

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2008, 09:39:38 PM »
I use a Chatterbox X2 as I want to feed my Zumo GPS through it. The Zumo speaks directions and also has MP3 and XM radio built in plus it pairs with my Bluetooth cell phone. The Chatterbox will also connect with a pillion and has VOX which works well with a full face and under 70 mph or so.

The setup you're looking at is what a friend of mind uses on his Gold Wing when we ride together. He already had the helmet setup, but we had to make an adapter cable to interface with the....in his case....Midland radio. I think we got two of them at Best Buy for 50 bucks or so.

All in all, for two setups, that is a very reasonable price. Don't believe the range numbers listed, though. Even on high power mode, you will be lucky to get a mile or two in the city...more line of sight. Still, this is plenty to keep up with each other.

Great for those..."stop..I just got pulled over calls."  ;D  :o

Jim

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Offline Magpie

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2008, 09:46:00 PM »
My wife and I use the BlueAnt Interphone on our Wing but it can also be used by 2 riders. Range is about 400 to 700 feet so it may be a little short for your use. It's easy - wireless! Has BlueTooth capable as well. They can be bought in pairs cheaper on eBay.

http://www.myblueant.com/interphone-motorbike-helmet-kit.htm

Cliff.

Offline Buber

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2008, 12:00:33 AM »
I say you have 2 options
1. Buy a ready set. If you take this one, don't go for teh cheapest, because it won't work over 60mph. But then you must pay around 200$
2. DIY kit made from cheapest PMRs and some GOOD headphones. It is important WHERE you place a mike - guess how I know... ;) Then you can have it for 20$ for PMRs, another 20 for 2 sets of reasonable headphones (or better - small loudspeakers to be mounted into the helmet), but the satisfaction of doing it yourself - priceless  ;D ....
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Offline DammitDan

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2008, 09:29:21 AM »
My wife and I use the BlueAnt Interphone on our Wing but it can also be used by 2 riders. Range is about 400 to 700 feet so it may be a little short for your use. It's easy - wireless! Has BlueTooth capable as well. They can be bought in pairs cheaper on eBay.

http://www.myblueant.com/interphone-motorbike-helmet-kit.htm

Cliff.

Do you have a problem with the limited battery life, Cliff?
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Offline DammitDan

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2008, 09:36:50 AM »
I bought the Nady MRC-11X radio for my bikes, but was disappointed with it.  The mics are cheap and transmit all the wind noise, and it's near impossible to understand people above 60mph.  To top it all off, the connector on the radio is cheap as #$%* and cuts in and out unless you hold it at a certain angle with duct tape.  Oh, and they don't work at all with open face helmets, as the boom mic simply blows out of the way once you get above 40mph.

Stay away from them if at all possible.
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Offline techy5025

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2008, 04:08:02 PM »
I have tested at least five different headsets. IMHO, the mics in the ones sold for the Starcom intercom are the best....better background noise rejection. Don't expect Bose quality from the one inch speakers in the headsets. Also, none of the common headsets have the same pinout or even the same connector. Starcom, Autocom, Chatterbox....all different so be prepared for an adapter cable if you use one.

Also radios, except for the "high end" radios such as Kenwood, I believe use the same "chip set" for the electronics so there won't be much difference in the performance.

In this case, OldSchool_IsCool is just dealing with radios, cables, and headsets so no intercom is involved.

If you want to read interesting discussions about headsets, intercoms, and "bluetooth stuff" visit this website.

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?action=forum

Jim
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Offline Magpie

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2008, 05:22:48 PM »
Dan,
The battery life has been ok so far. I usually charge them the night before a ride day. We haven't been able to get out very often for longer rides though.
Cliff.

Offline tramp

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2008, 05:30:11 PM »
wife and i have a tried and tested system
we touch helmets when talking, works fine
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2008, 05:32:35 PM »
wife and i have a tried and tested system
we touch helmets when talking, works fine

That would be an impressive sight to see on two separate bikes! :D

Offline DammitDan

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2008, 07:04:40 PM »
wife and i have a tried and tested system
we touch helmets when talking, works fine

So you're one of the unfortunate ones who needs to have physical contact to communicate telepathically, huh?  ::)
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Offline super pasty white guy

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2008, 07:24:21 PM »
there are also a few reviews over at http:\\www.webbikeworld.com as well.  If you're considering ready made, it's work a look.

spwg
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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2008, 11:17:56 PM »
For the DIY inclined ones - look out for aviation mikes - i don't know exactly the name in english, but it's a set of 2 mikes where noises are being cancelled out ,and only the voice gets transmitted. Paragliding guys use only this stuff, as well as plane pilots.
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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #13 on: April 02, 2008, 01:17:26 AM »
wife and i have a tried and tested system
we touch helmets when talking, works fine
what you mean she cant read your mind ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Offline mystic_1

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #14 on: April 02, 2008, 10:18:27 AM »
Anyone ever use a throat mic?  If so, what did you think?




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Offline DammitDan

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #15 on: April 02, 2008, 10:33:03 AM »
My brother in law got the Firefox throat mic, but had mixed results.  He sounded just fine with it, but my sister's voice sounded like a retarded person over the radio, and she had to practically scream to get anything to pick up.  They got a replacement pair from the company but the results were the same.

Something with the resonant frequency of her voice, I'm sure.  It didn't work for her at all.
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Offline tramp

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #16 on: April 02, 2008, 10:38:06 AM »
wife and i have a tried and tested system
we touch helmets when talking, works fine
what you mean she cant read your mind ;D ;D ;D ;D

most of her communcation is fast and furious and full of 4 letter words
keeps her young riding with me
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #17 on: April 02, 2008, 03:55:32 PM »
Thanks everyone!  I have a few weeks before I need the radios, so I'll study up some from the links y'all sent.
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
What do you have to do?
Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
Will you show me all of them?
Sure.
Is it hard?
Not if you have the right attitudes. It’s having the right attitudes that’s hard.

Offline techy5025

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #18 on: April 04, 2008, 05:59:38 PM »
Being able to communicate makes a lot of difference on buddy rides. It sure beats waving arms and meets at traffic lights.  ;)
It can be a little annoying if one person tends to be...shall we say... a bit "chatty".  ;D

Jim
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1969 Sandcast 750 K0 (Reborn)
2003 CBR600F4I
........

Offline Joel

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #19 on: April 04, 2008, 07:54:57 PM »
What about handheld FRS radios with headsets?  They work over a range of approximately 2 miles.

Offline techy5025

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #20 on: April 04, 2008, 10:03:43 PM »
I think that is what was in the first post with the headset being designed to fit inside a helmet.

Jim
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2003 CBR600F4I
........

Offline Joel

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2008, 07:45:50 AM »
Ah, yes.  I failed to click the link.   :P

Offline gregimotis

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2008, 09:51:31 AM »
It can be a little annoying if one person tends to be...shall we say... a bit "chatty".  ;D


That is why I have never been tempted even a little to get a headset.  It'd be like a cell phone - once the world knows you've got one, they call you for any stupid thing.  ANd if you don't answer, then they want to give you a hard time about.
  'Why didn't you answer you're cell phone?  I called you like twelve times.  Did you check you're messages?  Why didn't you call back, it might have been important.  Why do you even have a cell phone if you don't use it?  What's you're ring tone?  why don't you get something cool for a ring tone? why didn't you answer my text?  I texted you a link to new ring tones.  If you aren't going to answer texts, why do you even have a cell phone?  I called to tell you that I e-mailed you some funny jokes about Chuck Norris.  Do you even check you're e-mail?  Maybe if you answered your phone sometimes, I wouldn't have to e-mail you.  By the way, what's you're MySpace?

Lets go on a ride this weekend.  Don't they make walkie talkies for motorcycles?  Wouldn't that be great so we could plan where to have lunch?

You didn't answer on your walkie talkie, so I called you cell phone.  Is something wrong with your microphone?  Maybe we should get it checked.  We'll talk about it on the road.  maybe I'll look up a repair shop on my blackberry and call you on the cell phone.

tcchhhkkk "Bike one to bike to, you there?  I know where the repair shop is, turn left at the next street, over"
tcchhhkkk  "No I meant the other next street, now you're on the wrong road, over"
tcchhkkk " Hello?  Hello?  Where did you go?  Are you out of range?  I'll call you on your cell phone, over.

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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2008, 10:42:30 AM »
Dang, that's funny, Gregimotis.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sounds kinda like overhearing a teenage women's group....

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Offline techy5025

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Re: Bike-to-Bike Intercom Radio Recommendations
« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2008, 01:31:26 PM »
LOL.... hmmm. ..  I try not to overdo my techyness!  ::)  ;D  :o

Jim
........
1969 750 K0 (Reborn)
1969 Sandcast 750 K0 (Reborn)
2003 CBR600F4I
........